North Korea declares 'state of war' against South

3/29/13 8:28 PM EDT

North Korea says it has entered a "state of war" against South Korea, according to a statement published by state-run KCNA service.

"Situations on the Korean Peninsula, which are neither in peace or at war, have come to an end," the statement, released on Saturday in Pyongyang, says, according to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency.

"From this time on, the North-South relations will be entering the state of war and all issues raised between the North and the South will be handled accordingly," the statement says.

Kim Jong-un reportedly put rocket bases on standby to fire at South Korean and American targets after two U.S. bombers were deployed to South Korea. Kim and his generals announced Friday that "the time has come to settle accounts with the U.S. imperialists in view of the prevailing situation," only to further ratchet up their rhetoric in Saturday's statement.

White House principal deputy press secretary Josh Earnest said Friday that Pyongyang's military threats would only lead to further isolation and that the U.S. would respond to any threats against its allies. "The bellicose rhetoric emanating from North Korea only deepens that nation's isolation. The United States remains committed to safeguarding our allies in the region and our interests that are located there," he said.

Though the United States and South Korea have been engaged in military exercises in recent weeks, Earnest said the heightened tensions were Kim's own doing. "It's clear that the escalation is taking place from the North Koreans, based on their rhetoric and on their actions."